Israel Ogundipe, a prophet and Shepherd in charge of the Genesis Global Church has provided clarification as to the reason behind his recent trip to the cities of Mecca and Medinah, in Saudi Arabia.
Prophet Ogundipe noted that his journey to Saudi Arabia was not about religious conversion, competition, or comparison, but rather “a journey of understanding, humility, heritage, and humanity.”
He explained that his journey to the Islamic holy land was fueled by his childhood experiences with his mother who happens to be a Muslim.
“One of her heartfelt prayers was that, when I grew up, God would grant me the grace to visit the Holy Land. At the time, I did not fully understand the weight of that prayer — but God did.
“Decades later, I stood in Medinah and Mecca, and in that moment I realised that prayers, when sincere, transcend time, denomination and human limitations.”
“The experience was characterized by calmness, order and a sense of deep reverence,” adding that the city “teaches discipline, patience and community.”
According to him, the Mecca experience “humbles the soul. Watching millions of people from different races, languages, and cultures moving in unity was a powerful reminder that before we are labelled by religion, tribe, or nationality, we are first human beings created by God.”
“Under the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 9), every person has the right to hold a belief, change a belief, explore a belief, practise a belief, or choose not to believe.”
“If you go to Jerusalem, the Holy City of Christians, you will see that there is religious tolerance there, as most of the items being bought are sold by Muslims and there is also a mosque beside the Wailing Wall where many Christians assemble to pray. We need to embrace one another and stop stoking tension.”
“Is it a crime to knock gently on another door of faith, not to conquer — but to understand? When the heart is searching for peace, when the soul is longing for love, when joy is the language we claim to speak, why then should curiosity be condemned?”